Superintendent’s Bulletin: 10/11/19

Dear Colleagues,

As we head into the Columbus Day weekend, it seems appropriate to note the context and conversations this holiday has created in Wellesley.  A year ago, an effort began to educate the community about the legacy of Columbus as a historical figure and the impact of his and other European contacts on the native peoples of the Americas. The proposal to rename this holiday for Indigenous People was met with some trepidation, particularly from members of the Italian-American community, for whom this holiday represents a broader point of cultural pride and accomplishment. 

As I consider the full landscape of these ideas, I am reminded of the gap that often exists between a full accounting of historical events and perspectives with the privilege that often determines the manner in which the past is documented and how we define it in a modern context. To be sure, our treatment of Columbus and the implications of European contact in the Americas is very different in our curriculum today than it was when I was as student.  (Check out authors such as Howard Zinn or Jared Diamond if you want to go deeper.)

This history of this land and our country is complicated, often uncomfortably so. I applaud those efforts to bring forward a fuller perspective on the past, not in an effort to diminish any group, but to ensure we have a more complete sense of who we are today.  Food for thought as we head into this long weekend.           

Best regards,

David

Calendar
10/14/19 – Columbus Day – No School
10/15/19 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall – 5 – 7:00 pm
10/21 – 10/25/19 – STEM Week
10/29/19 – School Committee Meeting – Police Station – 6:30 pm
11/1/19 – Deadline for Submissions of Letter of Intent to Change Lanes

Condolences to:  Julie Kenerson (Gr. 6 Social Studies Teacher) on the loss of her son, Jake Urs Kenerson Jerman, on September 27, 2019.

WEF Sponsored STEM Week Activities – October 19 
Please click here to read about some exciting STEM Week activities around Wellesley.  

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Salary Lane Change News
Letters of Intent to Change Lanes in SY2020-21 Are Due by November 1st
All professional staff who expect to receive a Masters, M+30, or M+60/Doctorate at the beginning of the next school year 2020-2021, must send formal notification of intent to change salary lanes to Addie Doherty dohertya@wellesleyps.org, no later than November 1, 2019.  The notification should include:  current lane, proposed lane, and the school year (2020-21) in which you hope to change lanes.  This early notification deadline is required so that provisions for anticipated salary lane changes may be included within the new fiscal year budget.  Please note: The list does not carry forward. You must provide written notice each year until you have achieved the desired lane change.  

Help Wanted . . .
Wellesley Public Schools is seeking qualified applicants for the positions listed below.  If you know anyone who may be interested, please refer them to the Employment Opportunities section of the Wellesley Public Schools’ website.

▪ Performing Arts Production Manager/Theater Director/Teacher
▪ Long Term Substitute School Psychologist
▪ Assistive Technology Teacher
▪ Teaching Assistants
▪ Van Driver
▪ Bus Monitor
▪ Lunch Monitor
▪ Substitute Teachers and Substitute Teaching Assistants

  
2020 WEF Grant Applications 
Deadline:  Monday, January 6th    Decision Notifications:  Early April 

​​​​​​Insurance Benefits Information
Health and Dental Insurance Benefits information is handled by the Town Hall Benefits Office.  Inquiries should be directed to Joanne Liburd at JLiburd@wellesleyma.gov or by calling 781-431-1019 extension 2244.  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Renewing Your Educator’s License?
Information about requirements to renew your educator license is available on the WPS website.  Click here to go to the HR Licensure tab.  When you apply for your license on the DESE website under ELAR, the DESE will send you an electronic communication about what is missing from your licensure file in order to renew.   The HR licensure tab and your ELAR account are two tools to assist you with information about licensure renewal.  

WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
For all Internal Job Postings, please go to “Internal Job Postings” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website.